Calhoun County, AL – Jacksonville continues summer success with five wins, finish as runner up in 14-team field that featured several area teams
By Joe Medley
Says this for Jacksonville’s summer 7-on-7 tour … the Golden Eagles are consistent.
Jacksonville finished as runner-up in Tuesday’s FCA 7-on-7 at McClellan, falling to Benjamin Russell varsity 19-11 in the championship round.
The Golden Eagles went 5-2 on the day, with both losses coming against Benjamin Russell. Their five wins total matched what they accomplished on their other two 7-on-7s. They went 5-1 each at Troy University and Gadsden City.
Jacksonville will play its fourth 7-on-7 at Piedmont on July 22.
The Golden Eagles were the top-finishing area team in Tuesday’s FCA event, which also featured Anniston, Lincoln, Piedmont, Pleasant Valley, Talladega, White Plains and Winterboro.
Rounding out the field were Benjamin Russell, Childersburg, Fayetteville, Ragland and Sardis.
In all three of Jacksonville’s 7-on-7s, it lost to higher classified teams. The Class 4A Golden Eagles lost to Spencer High School, from Columbus, Ga., at Troy, Bob Jones at Gadsden City and Benjamin Russell at McClellan.
“Not a bad day and not a bad summer,” Jacksonville coach Clint Smith said. “We’ve got one more to go, at Piedmont, and that’ll be good competition and really good teams.
“This is all about competing and just getting out here and playing somebody else.”
New and old faces in new places dotted the scene Tuesday. Jacksonville’s coaching staff included former Weaver head coach Gary Atchley, who coaches wide receivers for Jacksonville and will serve as the Golden Eagles’ varsity head softball coach.
First-year Anniston coach Rico Jackson, former Saks and current Piedmont head coach Jonathan Miller and former Ohatchee defensive coordinator/now White Plains head coach Blake Jennings had their teams playing in the heat at McClellan. Here are some highlights:
Piedmont
The Bulldogs finished 5-2, falling to Benjamin Russell in the semifinals. They beat White Plains and Winterboro in the tournament. In pool play, Piedmont beat White Plains, Talladega and Anniston.
MIller must find nine new starters on offense, including at quarterback, where tall left-hander Cole Wilson steps in for Jack Hayes, who graduated with four state career records and two Super 7 MVPs.
“We’re breaking in a new quarterback, and it’s good to get him some live reps out here throwing the football,” Miller said. “Cole did a good job today. He let our receivers run routes and catch the football.
“Cole has been fine. He’s exactly what we expected. He’s a guy who can throw the football. He can spin it a little bit. The thing with Cole is, he’s got weapons around him, and he’s just got to make sure he don’t try to do too much. He’s got to distribute the ball and let those guys make plays, because they’re capable of it.”
Anniston
After going 5-0 at Samford, the Bulldogs lost to Benjamin Russell, beat Sardis then lost to Lincoln and Piedmont in pool play. They beat Ragland then lost to Benjamin Russell junior varsity in the tournament.
Notably, Anniston went without quarterback Gavin Doss, the Saks transfer who missed the day with an illness. Jayden Lewis played quarterback Tuesday.
“I felt like we lacked some intensity early,” Jackson said. “I think we took some things for granted early, and it came back to bite us, but it was a good learning day. A good teaching day.”
Jackson said the transition since his Feb. 15 hiring has gone “really good” and credited his predecessor, Rico White, who moved on to Mae Jemison.
“The kids are working hard,” Jackson said. “They have a nature to work hard, and that’s a credit to Coach White. We’re averaging about 50, 55 a day, and they’re working hard.”
Pleasant Valley
The Raiders struggled in pool play, falling to Ragland twice, Benjamin Russell’s JV and Winterboto but rebounded to beat Lincoln in the tournament.
“All in all, it was a great day,” Pleasant Valley coach Jonathan Nix said. “We got a lot of kids some great work at game speed. I really liked how the team worked together and got stronger as the day went on.
“We still have a lot of work to do, but we really like everyone’s work ethic and attitude. It was a great win vs Lincoln to start tournament play. This was a great event for all teams, and we are very thankful for the opportunity to attend.”
White Plains
The Wildcats lost to Benjamin Russell, Sardis, Piedmont and Lincoln in pool play and lost to Piedmont in the tournament.
“As the day went on, we competed better and better each game we played,” Jennings said. “I told them our goal today was to get better each play. If we can continue to get better each day in the weight room and on the field, then our kids will get to where they need to be.”
